Essential Skills

What are Essential Skills?

Essential Skills are the foundation skills that technical and workplace-specific skills are built on. They include the four skills associated with literacy (reading, writing, document use and numeracy) as well as skills needed to be successful in today's workplace; computer use, thinking, oral communication, working with others and continuous learning. The level of a worker’s Essential Skills can affect their health and safety record, productivity and professional development.

How are Essential Skills Measured?

Conestoga College assesses Essential Skills levels in individuals and compares them to the standard required for the chosen trade/profession. Individual plans can be developed to enhance essential skills development. Essential Skills assessments and tools can also help in the development of job descriptions, recruitment of candidates, completion of performance appraisals, training plan development and promotion of existing employees.

Workshop Available: Workplace Communications

This workshop will provide individuals with an introduction to Essential Skills in the Workplace.